The past week brought several huge announcements for which Disney guests have been waiting a long time! We also got a bunch of food news, including a brand new table service restaurant coming to one of the parks. We got our first look at the Eat to the Beat concert lineup for the 2023 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival and some news from Disney Cruise Line—all this and more in this week’s Disney news roundup.

1 – Disney Announces 5 Huge Announcements That Will Make Guests Happy

This week Disney announced five announcements that seek to improve the guest experience at Walt Disney World. Since the parks reopening in July 2020, visiting the parks has had its challenges, and guests have given feedback on how those policies affect their experiences and vacations. The good news is Disney is listening and adjusting. First up, park reservations will no longer be required for date-based tickets beginning in early 2024. Second, while annual passholders will still need park reservations on most days, Disney has announced “Good-to-go-days” for passholders and Cast Members. On these days, they will not need park reservations. Third, the popular Disney Dining Plans will return in early 2024. Forth, Early Theme Park entry, a perk for Walt Disney World resort guests, will be extended for visits through 2024 as well as, Extended Evening Hours for guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villas. Fifth, Disney has announced plans to simplify the Disney Genie+ service and Individual Lighting Lane selections by enabling guests to choose their selections before the day of their visit. All of these offerings will improve guest experiences. Finally, 2024 resort packages will go on sale on May 31! Learn more at the link below.

Click here for full details on the five huge announcements that have guests excited!

2 – Disney Announces Line-up for 2023 Eat to the Beat Concert Series

The popular Eat to the Beat Concert Series as part of the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival is often a must-do for many who visit the festival. Now, guests can plan ahead with the release of the artist line-up this week. Learn more at the link below.

Click here for the line-up of the 2023 Eat to the Beat Concert Series at EPCOT.

3 – New Table Service Restaurant Coming to Japan Pavilion at EPCOT

The Japan pavilion is getting a new table-service restaurant this summer! Learn more at the link below.

Click here to learn about the new table-service restaurant coming to the Japan pavilion this summer.

4 – Six Disney100 Offerings to Get Excited About at Disney World

The Disney100 celebration is officially coming to Walt Disney World in early fall 2023. However, some décor, merchandise, and more have already popped up throughout the resort. Learn more at the link below.

Click here to learn about six Disney100 offerings coming to Walt Disney World.

5 – New Menu Items for Space 220

Space 220 Restaurant, the out-of-this-world dining experience at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT, has just added some stellar new dishes to its menu, awaiting guests a simulated 220 miles above the Earth. The new offerings now available are:

Lift-Offs (Appetizers)

• • Seafood Cannelloni “Rockets” – shrimp, scallops, snapper, saffron cream sauce, salmon caviar, chives
  • Neptuna Tartare –  sushi grade yellowfin tuna, avocado crema, mango coulis, edamame, wonton crisp, yuzu dressing
  • Roasted Asparagus Soup – jumbo lump crabmeat, roasted poblano and red peppers, citrus chili oil, crouton

Star Course (Entrées)

• • Tomahawk Pork Chop – slow roasted 16 oz Niman Ranch pork chop, corn flan, succotash, spiced applesauce
  • Pan Roasted Swordfish “Cioppino” – shrimp, littleneck clams, prince edward island mussels, tomato fennel seafood broth, toasted garlic bread

Supernova Sweets (Dessert)

• • Vanilla Bean Greek Yogurt Parfait – black sesame crumble, yuzu curd, macerated blackberries, basil blackberry sauce
  • Cosmic Cupcake (Kid’s Menu) – chocolate vegan devil’s food cake topped with vanilla frosting & galactic sprinkles
  • Fruity Pebbles Cereal Rocket Pop (Kid’s Menu) – fruity pebbles, marshmallow, chocolate rocket

6 – Chicken Guy! Seasonal Milkshake Now Available

Chicken Guy!, the fast-casual restaurant by TV personality and celebrity chef Guy Fieri has debuted a sweet treat available for a limited time at locations nationwide. Just in time for spring, the restaurant is offering the new Huckleberry Shake, made with creamy, hand-spun vanilla soft serve and mixed berry puree, topped off with fresh whipped cream and Cinnamon Toast Crumble. It will be available through June 25.

7 – Ariel from All-New ‘The Little Mermaid’ Live-Action Film Coming to Disney Parks

The all-new “The Little Mermaid” live-action film is almost in theaters! To celebrate the release of the film, guests will be able to greet Ariel, inspired by the film, in the parks beginning May 26. Learn more at the link below.

Click here for details on meeting the live-action film-inspired Ariel in the parks.

8 – Disney Cruise Line’s 25^th Anniversary Season Kicks Off – What You Need to Know

Disney Cruise Line is celebrating its 25^th Anniversary this summer. Special “Silver Anniversary at Sea” sailings are now underway. Learn more at the link below.

Click here for what you need to know about Disney Cruise Line’s “Silver Anniversary at Sea.”

9 – Disney Cruise Line Debuts New Experiences Bringing the Imaginative Worlds of “Encanto” and “Soul” to the Disney Magic

From the magical mountains of Colombia to the bustling streets of New York City, the colorful worlds of two fan-favorite Disney films – Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” and Disney and Pixar’s “Soul” – have come to life for the first time on the high seas with the debut of new family-friendly experiences aboard the Disney Magic. Learn more about these new offerings at the link below.

Click here for more details on the recent refurbishments during a three-week dry dock project on the Disney Magic.

What’s New and Happening Now at Walt Disney World Resort

March 1 – July 5, 2023 – EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival

Click here for details on the 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival and what you don’t want to miss!

Click here for the menus for the 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival.

Coming Soon to Walt Disney World

New & Coming Soon to Disney Cruise Line

This content was originally published here.